Child molester lingered in playgrounds, stole diapers

A 49-year-old man who was twice convicted of molesting children in the 1990s has been sentenced to an additional year in prison for a number of probation violations, including lingering in a New London playground for an extended period of time and stealing diapers from Wal-Mart.

Robert Beemer, who was living most recently in New London but has resided in several area towns, was sentenced in 2000 to 20 years in prison, suspended after eight years served, followed by 25 years of strict probation and registry as a sexual offender.

Beemer sexually assaulted a 12-year-old male in 1997, according to court records. While out on bond in 1999, he molested a 3-year-old female. At the time of his arrest, police said he was a suspect in numerous sex crimes involving children from 1992 to 1997.

On Wednesday, Judge Susan B. Handy sentenced him to an additional year in prison, noting she had sentenced him in the original cases.

"I felt at that time and continue to feel that you are a great threat to the public safety and you need to be closely monitored," Handy said.

Beemer, who stood with his court-appointed attorney, Matthew G. Berger, chose not to address the court.

According to prosecutor Theresa Anne Ferryman, Beemer has admitted to three probation violations since he was released from prison in May 2008. He was sent back to prison until June 7, 2012.

The latest offenses occurred over the spring and summer of 2012 while he was living on Woodlawn Street in New London, according to court documents. His probation officer, Shane Vincelette, wrote in an arrest warrant affidavit that Beemer, who was being monitored with GPS, was at a Montauk Avenue playground for about a half hour on July 10, though he is prohibited from parks, playgrounds and schools.

On Aug. 20, when probation officer Robert Amanti made an unannounced visit to his home, Amanti saw that another convicted sex offender, William Hildreth, had been visiting Beemer. They are prohibited from having contact with one another.

In October, probation officers stopped Beemer, who they said looked nervous as he was leaving a Broad Street convenience store. Beemer was empty handed, but the clerk told the officers he had inquired whether the store sold "K2," which is synthetic marijuana. Under the conditions of his probation, Beemer is prohibited from using drugs or alcohol.

In November, Beemer was found in possession of two toddler-sized diapers, which he admitted he had been using for a deviant sexual practice. He told officers he had bought a package and was hiding it near a Dumpster at the Norwich Walmart because he knows he was not supposed to have them. The officers, working with store personnel, learned he had taken the diapers from a package on the store shelf.